Psaltery Strings

Received my e-bay psaltery today - looks pretty good but strings are rusty so don't want to touch the bow to them. It is a soprano - does anyone know where I might find a graduated-diameter set of strings? That would be ideal, otherwise I can only find sets of all .010. I live in Wisconsin - would pay shipping. Thanks

Replies to This Discussion

We might need to know who made the psaltery or the length of the strings. Several psaltery builders (luthiers) have string sets matched to their psaltery design based on length. Harpkit has a graduated string set for a 32 string psaltery. If your psaltery is about the same size as the harpkit psaltery, the harpkit stringset might work on your psaltery.

On my soprano psalteries I use .011 wire on all strings. Never had a issue with tuning or see a need for heavier strings. You might find this wire in a hardware store. I got mine from a piano supply company in a bulk roll but I'll second Dave's advise, Just Strings is a great site to buy individual strings... Robert.

String goes through the notch of hitch pin,down through hole and out then loops around and back through hole.Strings have been cut and removed at tunung pins but are so tight at loop around hitch pin I can't cut it. Help, please

Hi Frances, You will need something with a sharp point to pry that loop apart. Sometimes you can pull it out completely, but at least enough to get your cutters in there to snip it. I use a scratch awl for that purpose, but really anything with a sharp metal point. Be careful of the wood, it is easy to slip off and damage the soundboard wood.

Tish Westman - West Virginia Lessons at Tamarack, Beckley, WV. Wednesday workshops also available for individual classes and to teach at festivals.
Sunday "Jam" 3:30 to 6:00. All instruments welcome, play mostly Old Time, Celtic & Gospel Music, not opposed to trying any tune called, once did a rap on Bowed Psalteries.
1-304-575-0998tishwestman@yahoo.comwww.westmaninstruments.com

Karla Armstrong - Pennsylvania Karla plays a variety of instruments and does workshops as well. Please visit her web site for additional information or contact her via the web site or the information below.
(717) 632-8099karlaarms@upontheharp.comhttp://upontheharp.com

Please sign up on the bowed psaltery players list

If you are already on Tish's list, why don't you stop in and update your info? While your there take a look to see if there are new players in your area. Who knows, you might get together and make a recording.

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